Monolithic attitude control motor frame and system

ABSTRACT

A monolithic attitude control motor frame includes a monolithic structure including an outer surface of revolution and a plurality of side walls defining a plurality of cavities extending radially from the outer surface of revolution. Adjacent cavities of the plurality of cavities share a side wall or side wall portion therebetween. Each of the cavities is configured to receive an attitude control motor. A monolithic attitude control motor system includes a monolithic frame including an outer surface of revolution and a plurality of side walls defining a plurality of cavities extending radially from the outer surface of revolution. The system further includes a plurality of attitude control motors corresponding to the plurality of cavities, such that an attitude control motor of the plurality of attitude control motors is disposed in each cavity of the plurality of cavities.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to the field of vehicleattitude control.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Many modern vehicles require thruster control during certain phases offlight. Conventionally, such vehicles utilize solid gas generators orattitude control motors to achieve thruster control. These controldevices can be placed on the fore or aft ends for control momentapplications or generally in the center of the body for direct forcecontrol. Generally, solid gas generators use a larger grain volume and avalve system to direct the thrust in the desired direction. While thesesystems are able to package more impulse in a given volume, the massflow must remain fairly constant so that venting is required to preventoverpressurization, which wastes much of the desired packagedpropellant. Systems employing solid gas generators are also expensivedue to the valve and actuation systems required. Jet interaction is fanshaped in such systems and is, therefore, more complicated. Conventionalattitude control motor systems employ banks of individual,self-contained attitude control motors that are fired in the desireddirection to achieve forward thruster control. Conventional attitudecontrol motors are generally circular in cross-section to efficientlycontain pressurization forces when the motor is operated. Suchconventional motors, however, are bulky, self-contained pressure vesselswhen compared to their thrust output; that is, the motors require asignificant volume of the vehicle when compared to their thrust output.Some vehicles, therefore, cannot employ conventional attitude controlmotors, as insufficient volume exists in the vehicle.

While there are attitude control motor systems well known in the art,considerable room for improvement remains.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well asa preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof,will best be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich the leftmost significant digit(s) in the reference numeralsdenote(s) the first figure in which the respective reference numeralsappear, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first illustrative embodiment of amonolithic attitude control motor system;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the monolithicattitude control motor system of FIG. 1, as indicated in FIG. 1, inwhich some of the attitude control motors are removed to better revealparticular aspects of a monolithic attitude control motor frame;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the monolithic attitudecontrol motor frame, taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flattened graphical representation of the attitude controlmotor pattern of the monolithic attitude control motor system of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are flattened graphical representations of exemplaryattitude control motor patterns alternative to that of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an illustrative embodiment of an air- or water-travelingvehicle incorporating the monolithic attitude control system; and

FIG. 8 is an illustrative embodiment of an exoatmospheric vehicleincorporating the monolithic attitude control system.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that the description herein of specificembodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particularforms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In theinterest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation aredescribed in this specification. It will of course be appreciated thatin the development of any such actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedeveloper's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationshipsbetween various components and to the spatial orientation of variousaspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attacheddrawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the artafter a complete reading of the present application, the devices,members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in anydesired orientation. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,”“upper,” “lower,” or other like terms to describe a spatial relationshipbetween various components or to describe the spatial orientation ofaspects of such components should be understood to describe a relativerelationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspectsof such components, respectively, as the device described herein may beoriented in any desired direction.

The present invention concerns a monolithic structure that utilizesshared pressure vessel walls of adjacent attitude control motors todistribute the operational pressure loads throughout the structure, thusallowing less structure as compared with self-contained pressurevessels.

The present invention relates to a monolithic attitude control motorframe that includes a monolithic structure comprising an outer surfaceof revolution and a plurality of side walls defining a plurality ofcavities extending radially from the outer surface of revolution.Adjacent cavities of the plurality of cavities share a side wall or sidewall portion therebetween. Each of the cavities is configured to receivean attitude control motor.

The present invention further relates to a monolithic attitude controlmotor system that includes a monolithic frame comprising an outersurface of revolution and a plurality of side walls defining a pluralityof cavities extending radially from the outer surface of revolution. Thesystem further includes a plurality of attitude control motorscorresponding to the plurality of cavities, such that an attitudecontrol motor of the plurality of attitude control motors is disposed ineach cavity of the plurality of cavities. Adjacent attitude controlmotors share a side wall or a portion of a side wall therebetween andwherein pressurization loads generated by operation of one of theplurality of attitude control motors are transmitted to the monolithicframe.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle that includes a body anda monolithic attitude control system operably associated with the body.The monolithic attitude control system includes a monolithic framecomprising an outer surface of revolution and a plurality of side wallsdefining a plurality of cavities extending radially from the outersurface of revolution. The system further includes a plurality ofattitude control motors corresponding to the plurality of cavities, suchthat an attitude control motor of the plurality of attitude controlmotors is disposed in each cavity of the plurality of cavities. Adjacentattitude control motors share a side wall or a portion of a side walltherebetween and pressurization loads generated by operation of one ofthe plurality of attitude control motors are transmitted to themonolithic frame.

The present system is particularly useful to provide thruster control tomany various types of vehicles, for example, air-traveling vehicles,such as aircraft, missiles, projectiles, rockets, air-travelingmunitions, and the like; water-traveling vehicles, such as torpedoes,submarine vehicles, water-traveling munitions, and the like;exoatmospheric vehicles, such as spacecraft, satellites, space-travelingmunitions, and the like.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a first illustrative embodiment ofa monolithic attitude control motor system 101. System 101 comprises amonolithic attitude control motor frame 103 housing a plurality ofattitude control motors, such as a plurality of attitude control motors105 and a plurality of attitude control motors 107. Note that only oneattitude control motor 105 and one attitude control motor 107 arelabeled in FIG. 1 for clarity, although a plurality of attitude controlmotors 105 and a plurality of attitude control motors 107 exist in theembodiment shown in FIG. 1. It should be noted that, for the purposes ofthis disclosure, an “attitude control motor” is defined as apropellant-containing device configured to provide thrust but that omitsa pressure vessel for containing pressures induced by the operation ofthe propellant. Monolithic frame 103 acts as a pressure-containmentdevice, as discussed in greater detail herein. Illustrative examples ofattitude control motors 105 and 107 include, but are not limited to, aportion of propellant configured to be disposed in a cavity ofmonolithic frame 103, such as cavities 201 and 203 shown in FIGS. 2 and3; a portion of propellant disposed in a cup and configured to bedisposed in a cavity of monolithic frame 103; a portion of propellant,disposed in a cup or omitting a cup, operably associated with a nozzleand configured to be disposed in a cavity of monolithic frame 103, orthe like. It should be noted that the present invention contemplatesmany different configurations of attitude control motors for use in thepresent system.

Still referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, attitudecontrol motors 105 exhibit generally octagonal shapes proximate an outersurface 109 of monolithic frame 103 and attitude control motors 107exhibit generally rectangular or square shapes proximate outer surface107 of monolithic frame 103. It should be noted that outer surface 109is a surface of revolution about a centerline 111 of monolithic frame103. As is discussed in greater detail herein, the attitude controlmotors of the present system 101 exhibit shapes and/or dimensionsproximate outer surface 109 of monolithic frame 103 that allow theattitude control motors to be nested together, thus providing anefficient pack of attitude control motors.

Still referring to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the plurality of attitudecontrol motors 105 and the plurality of attitude control motors 107 aredisposed generally radially about centerline 111 of monolithic frame 103such that, when operated, any of the attitude control motors generates athrust vector away from centerline 111, as indicated, for example, byarrows 113 and 115. As is discussed in greater detail herein, adjacentattitude control motors share common side walls or one or more portionsof side walls, such as a side wall 117, thus forming a honeycombstructure that allows pressurization loads generated by the operation ofone or more of the plurality of attitude control motors, such as one ormore of attitude control motors 105 and/or one or more of attitudecontrol motors 107, to be transmitted to monolithic frame 103. Thepresent invention contemplates any type of attitude control motors forattitude control motors 105 and 107, so long as they are configured toshare common side walls or one or more portions of side walls, i.e.,attitude control motors 105 and 107 provide generally no individualpressurization containment, as pressurization containment is provided bymonolithic frame 103. In certain embodiments monolithic frame 103defines a central passageway 119 for routing control lines to theplurality of attitude control motors 105 and the plurality of attitudecontrol motors 107, as well as other lines, devices, and the like asdesired. It should be noted, however, that the scope of the presentinvention encompasses embodiments wherein central passageway 119 or thelike is omitted, wherein control lines operatively associated with theplurality of attitude control motors 105 and the plurality of attitudecontrol motors 107 are routed by different pathways.

FIG. 2 depicts an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of monolithicattitude control motor system 101, as indicated in FIG. 1, in which someof attitude control motors 105 and 107 are removed to better revealparticular aspects of monolithic frame 103. As shown in FIG. 2,monolithic frame 103 defines a plurality of cavities 201 correspondingto the plurality of attitude control motors 105 and defines a pluralityof cavities 203 corresponding to the plurality of attitude controlmotors 107. Note that in FIG. 2 only one cavity 201 and one cavity 203are labeled for clarity, although monolithic frame 103 defines a cavity201 in which each attitude control motor 105 is received and defines acavity 203 in which each attitude control motor 107 is received. In theillustrated embodiment, one or more of cavities 201 transitions andtapers from a generally octagonal shape 205 at outer surface 109 to agenerally rectangular or square shape 207 at an inner surface 121 (shownin FIGS. 1 and 3) of monolithic frame 103. Also, in the illustratedembodiment, one or more of cavities 203 transitions and tapers from agenerally rectangular or square shape 209 at outer surface 109 to agenerally rectangular or square shape 301 (shown in FIG. 3) at innersurface 121 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3). It should be noted, however, thatthe shapes and tapers of cavities 201 and 203 shown in FIG. 2 are merelyexemplary of the multitude of shapes and tapers of cavities contemplatedby the present invention. While FIG. 2 depicts cavities 201 and 203 ashaving facets, the scope of the present invention is not so limited.Rather, interior surfaces of cavities 201 and 203 are, in certainembodiments, three-dimensional, curved, i.e., non-planar, surfacesrather than faceted surfaces.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, and as discussed herein concerning FIG. 1,adjacent attitude control motors 105 and 107 share common side walls orone or more portions of side walls, which allows pressurization loadsgenerated by the operation of one of the plurality of attitude controlmotors, such as one of attitude control motors 105 or one of attitudecontrol motors 107, to be transmitted to monolithic frame 103. Such sidewalls define the plurality of cavities 201 and 203. For example, a sidewall 211 defines a portion of the particular cavity 201 labeled in FIG.2 as cavity 201 a and a portion of the particular cavity 203 labeled inFIG. 2 as cavity 203 a. Such side walls or portions of side walls in theaggregate form monolithic or unitary frame 103. Mechanicalpressurization loads generated by the operation of one or more of theplurality of attitude control motors, such as one or more of attitudecontrol motors 105 and/or one or more of attitude control motors 107,are transmitted to and resolved by monolithic frame 103.

The present invention contemplates many different arrangements, shapes,and sizes of attitude control motors in the monolithic attitude controlmotor system and, thus, contemplates many different arrangements,shapes, and sizes of cavities defined by the monolithic attitude controlmotor frame. FIG. 4 depicts a flattened graphical representation of theattitude control motor pattern 401 of the monolithic attitude controlmotor system of FIGS. 1-3. In other words, the representation of FIG. 4depicts the pattern of the monolithic attitude control motor system ofFIGS. 1-3 as the pattern appears when “unrolled” from monolithicattitude control motor system 101 and flattened. As discussed herein,the illustrated pattern includes a plurality of attitude control motors105 that exhibit generally octagonal shapes at outer surface 109 ofmonolithic attitude control motor frame 103 and includes a plurality ofattitude control motors 107 that exhibit generally rectangular or squareshapes at outer surface 109. Thus, the illustrated pattern utilizes twosizes and shapes of attitude control motors in system 101.

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict flattened graphical representations of exemplaryattitude control motor patterns alternative to that shown in FIG. 4. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 5, a pattern 501 employs two sizes and shapes ofattitude control motors 503 and 505, as in the embodiment of FIG. 4.Similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 4, pattern 501 includes a pluralityof attitude control motors 503 that exhibit generally octagonal shapesat an outer surface of the monolithic attitude control motor frame(corresponding to outer surface 109 of monolithic attitude control motorframe 103) and includes a plurality of attitude control motors 505 thatexhibit generally rectangular or square shapes at the outer surface ofthe monolithic attitude control motor frame. The arrangement of attitudecontrol motors 503 and 505, however, is different from the arrangementof attitude control motors 105 and 107, shown in FIG. 4. Attitudecontrol motors 503 and 505 are in a nested configuration to provide ahigh packing efficiency of attitude control motors.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, a pattern 601 employs a single size andshape for a plurality of attitude control motors 603. In pattern 601,each of the plurality of attitude control motors exhibits a generallyhexagonal shape at an outer surface of the monolithic attitude controlmotor frame (corresponding to outer surface 109 of monolithic attitudecontrol motor frame 103). Attitude control motors 603 are in a nestedconfiguration to provide a high packing efficiency of attitude controlmotors.

As described herein, the present monolithic attitude control motorsystem, such as system 101, may be operatively associated with manyvarious types of vehicles for providing vehicle thrust control. FIGS. 7and 8 provide examples of two types of vehicles that incorporate thepresent monolithic attitude control motor system. It should be noted,however, that the present invention contemplates many different types ofvehicles that employ the present monolithic attitude control motorsystem. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, an air- or water-traveling vehicle701 comprises a body 703, which is operatively associated with a firstmonolithic attitude control motor system 705 disposed proximate a foreend 707 of body 703 and a second monolithic attitude control motorsystem 709 disposed proximate an aft end 711 of body 703. In theembodiment of FIG. 8, an exoatmospheric vehicle 801 comprises a body 803operatively associated with a monolithic attitude control motor system805. In one implementation, monolithic attitude control motor system 805is disposed proximate a center of mass of exoatmospheric vehicle 801.

The present invention provides significant advantages, including: (1)providing an attitude control motor system that exhibits higherpackaging efficiency than conventional attitude control motor systems;(2) providing an attitude control motor system that provides a largeamount of total impulse than conventional attitude control motorsystems; and (3) providing an attitude control motor system that betterresolves pressurization forces during operation of the attitude controlmotors.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theinvention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to thedetails of construction or design herein shown, other than as describedin the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particularembodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all suchvariations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention.Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claimsbelow. It is apparent that an invention with significant advantages hasbeen described and illustrated. Although the present invention is shownin a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, butis amenable to various changes and modifications without departing fromthe spirit thereof.

1. A monolithic attitude control motor frame, comprising: a monolithicstructure comprising an outer surface of revolution and a plurality ofside walls defining a plurality of cavities extending radially from theouter surface of revolution such that adjacent cavities of the pluralityof cavities share a side wall or side wall portion therebetween, each ofthe cavities being configured to receive an attitude control motor. 2.The monolithic attitude control motor frame of claim 1, wherein theplurality of side walls defines a first plurality of cavities exhibitinga first size and a second plurality of cavities exhibiting a second sizedifferent from the first size.
 3. The monolithic attitude control motorframe of claim 1, wherein the plurality of side walls defines a firstplurality of cavities exhibiting a first shape at the outer surface ofrevolution and a second plurality of cavities exhibiting a second shapeat the outer surface of revolution different from the first shape. 4.The monolithic attitude control motor frame of claim 1, wherein at leastsome of the plurality of cavities exhibit a hexagonal shape at the outersurface of revolution.
 5. The monolithic attitude control motor frame ofclaim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of cavities exhibit anoctagonal shape at the outer surface of revolution.
 6. The monolithicattitude control motor frame of claim 1, wherein at least some of theplurality of cavities exhibit a rectangular shape at the outer surfaceof revolution.
 7. The monolithic attitude control motor frame of claim1, wherein at least some of the plurality of cavities tapers from theouter surface of revolution toward a centerline of the monolithicstructure.
 8. The monolithic attitude control motor frame of claim 1,wherein the plurality of cavities is configured in a pattern at theouter surface of revolution of nested octagons and rectangles.
 9. Themonolithic attitude control motor frame of claim 1, wherein theplurality of cavities is configured in a pattern at the outer surface ofrevolution of nested hexagons.
 10. The monolithic attitude control motorframe of claim 1, wherein the monolithic structure defines an innersurface defining a central passageway.
 11. A monolithic attitude controlmotor system, comprising: a monolithic frame comprising an outer surfaceof revolution and a plurality of side walls defining a plurality ofcavities extending radially from the outer surface of revolution; and aplurality of attitude control motors corresponding to the plurality ofcavities, such that an attitude control motor of the plurality ofattitude control motors is disposed in each cavity of the plurality ofcavities; wherein adjacent attitude control motors share a side wall ora portion of a side wall therebetween; and wherein pressurization loadsgenerated by operation of one of the plurality of attitude controlmotors are transmitted to the monolithic frame.
 12. The monolithicattitude control motor system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of sidewalls defines a first plurality of cavities exhibiting a first size anda second plurality of cavities exhibiting a second size different fromthe first size.
 13. The monolithic attitude control motor system ofclaim 11, wherein the plurality of side walls defines a first pluralityof cavities exhibiting a first shape at the outer surface of revolutionand a second plurality of cavities exhibiting a second shape at theouter surface of revolution different from the first shape.
 14. Themonolithic attitude control motor system of claim 11, wherein at leastsome of the plurality of cavities exhibit a hexagonal shape at the outersurface of revolution.
 15. The monolithic attitude control motor systemof claim 11, wherein at least some of the plurality of cavities exhibitan octagonal shape at the outer surface of revolution.
 16. Themonolithic attitude control motor system of claim 11, wherein at leastsome of the plurality of cavities exhibit a rectangular shape at theouter surface of revolution.
 17. The monolithic attitude control motorsystem of claim 11, wherein at least some of the plurality of cavitiestapers from the outer surface of revolution toward a centerline of themonolithic attitude control motor frame.
 18. The monolithic attitudecontrol motor system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of cavities isconfigured in a pattern at the outer surface of revolution of nestedoctagons and rectangles.
 19. The monolithic attitude control motorsystem of claim 11, wherein the plurality of cavities is configured in apattern at the outer surface of revolution of nested hexagons.
 20. Themonolithic attitude control motor system of claim 11, wherein themonolithic structure defines an inner surface defining a centralpassageway.
 21. A vehicle, comprising: a body; and a monolithic attitudecontrol system operably associated with the body, the monolithicattitude control system comprising: a monolithic frame comprising anouter surface of revolution and a plurality of side walls defining aplurality of cavities extending radially from the outer surface ofrevolution; and a plurality of attitude control motors corresponding tothe plurality of cavities, such that an attitude control motor of theplurality of attitude control motors is disposed in each cavity of theplurality of cavities; wherein adjacent attitude control motors share aside wall or a portion of a side wall therebetween; and whereinpressurization loads generated by operation of one of the plurality ofattitude control motors are transmitted to the monolithic frame.
 22. Thevehicle of claim 21, wherein the plurality of side walls defines a firstplurality of cavities exhibiting a first size and a second plurality ofcavities exhibiting a second size different from the first size.
 23. Thevehicle of claim 21, wherein the plurality of side walls defines a firstplurality of cavities exhibiting a first shape at the outer surface ofrevolution and a second plurality of cavities exhibiting a second shapeat the outer surface of revolution different from the first shape. 24.The vehicle of claim 21, wherein at least some of the plurality ofcavities exhibit a hexagonal shape at the outer surface of revolution.25. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein at least some of the plurality ofcavities exhibit an octagonal shape at the outer surface of revolution.26. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein at least some of the plurality ofcavities exhibit a rectangular shape at the outer surface of revolution.27. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein at least some of the plurality ofcavities tapers from the outer surface of revolution toward a centerlineof the monolithic attitude control motor frame.
 28. The vehicle of claim21, wherein the plurality of cavities is configured in a pattern at theouter surface of revolution of nested octagons and rectangles.
 29. Thevehicle of claim 21, wherein the plurality of cavities is configured ina pattern at the outer surface of revolution of nested hexagons.
 30. Thevehicle of claim 21, wherein the monolithic structure defines an innersurface defining a central passageway.
 31. The vehicle of claim 21,wherein the vehicle is an air-traveling vehicle.
 32. The vehicle ofclaim 21, wherein the vehicle is a water-traveling vehicle.
 33. Thevehicle of claim 21, wherein the vehicle is an exoatmospheric vehicle.